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Talks First Step Toward Closer Engagement

President Hassan Rouhani said on Friday nuclear talks with the major powers are the “first step” toward greater engagement with the world.

“The nuclear talks are not only nuclear, but they are the first step toward constructive interaction with the world,” Rouhani said in a televised address to the nation one day after Iran and the major powers reached a breakthrough understanding on the framework of a comprehensive accord to resolve the long-running dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program.

“We will have interaction with all countries that want to respect the Iranian nation,” he said, adding that the government intends to improve relations with “friendly” countries and end tensions with other countries, IRNA reported. He also said, “The world should know that we will keep our (nuclear) promises on condition that the other side honors its promises.”

Pointing to the framework agreement, he said the day that the understanding was achieved will remain in the “historical memory” of the Iranian people, noting that the nation took another step toward achieving its “lofty goals” through putting up resistance.

He said reaching an agreement on the outline of a final deal was the second step toward the resolution of the nuclear dispute building on the first step which was taken in Geneva in late 2013 by signing an interim accord that imposed temporary constraints on Iran’s nuclear work in exchange for limited sanctions relief.

“In this step, preserving our nuclear rights, lifting all sanctions and constructive interaction with the world are important to us.”